Aeration and collar sod

We worked around some very cold mornings and lengthy frost delays to accomplish our spring greens aerations last week. Though it is later by about 10 days than our timing from the last couple of years, we still were able to hit a preferable window.

Aerating soil provides a needed boost in oxygen levels for the plants. Over time soil oxygen levels are depleted though normal processes. By introducing the aeration holes, oxygen can reenter the soil and the cycle can start over.

We also like to perform our spring aeration as early as possible to avoid conflict with our seedhead suppression program. A more in-depth discussion regarding the timing can be found here. Also, more information regarding seedheads can be found here.

The biggest obstacle this year though was the weather. For the past several years we have had a very nice window in mid to late February, with warmer temperatures and slight or non-existent frost delays. Not this year though. Most of February was snowy, wet from rain or freezing rain, or just too cold.  So we were forced into early March.

The days we eventually were able to get the work done all started of cold though, with frozen ground as well as frost. We had to wait until the frost was gone, but also for the ground to thaw, which took significant time each morning, causing delays of 3 hours or more. But with a solid staff and a couple new tricks up our sleeves, we were able to get the work done.

The second unique aspect to this year’s work was aerating alongside the new collar sod installation. We were able to maneuver our operation around the contractor and avoided either team having to wait for the other. However, since the new sod was so new, we could not aerate it as we normally would have in other springs. So, we made the adjustment of doing two loops with our aerator on the edge of the green first and then finished the interior. This ensured we did not tear any of the new sod out during our work.

A quick note about the collar sod also: that work is now finished, and the sod should heal in nicely over the next couple of weeks, depending on temperatures. It is ok to walk on the new sod and even putt off too. We do ask that you avoid chipping from the new sod to avoid any taking of divots.

All in all, despite the weather and concurrent project, we were able to get the job done. Once temperatures start to consistently warm up, healing will get going and we will be ready for the season.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

When parking your cart at a tee or green, please keep all 4 tires on the path

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included a link to a video teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org